Ash tray



i M839, 1944'l `J. @LAWRENCE 2,343,396

ASH TRAY l F11ed'sep1- I14, 1942 *iff Patented May 9, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ASH TRAY John G. Lawrence, Tampa, Fla.

Application September 14, 1942, Serial No. 458,187 12 claims. l(o1. iai- 242) The present invention has to do with an improved ash tray which is especially well adapted for use with cigarettes. It is designed to be cleaner and more sanitary than conventional ash trays. v

Among the principal objects of the present invention, it is intended to provide a simple and inexpensive ash tray designed to catch ashes and particles of cigarettes which may blow or drop o when the cigarette is resting on the tray, and one adapted to retard the burning rate of cigarettes so placed, and eventually to extinguish the same if they are allowed to burn uninterruptedly on thetray for a period of time. The ash tray is arranged so as substantially to prevent the formation on the tray of the syrupy residue invariably produced'when a burning cigarette is deposited in this manner. Not only is the formation of this residue controlled, but any residue which may form is at all times kept away from any surface contacted by the cigarette, and thus the unsanitary condition so prevalent in conventional ash trays is entirely eliminated.I

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of an ash tray conforming to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the ash tray taken on the lines 3-3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged-detail sectional View throughthe trough and seat supporting the cigarette taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a modified form of ash tray incorporating part of the present invention. l

Specic embodiments of the present invention are selected for the purpose of disclosure in compliance with section 4888 of the Revised Statutes. Obviously, changes may be made Without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

This is a continuationin part of applicants copending application Ser. No. 371,015, led December 20, 1940, for improvements in Ash trays.

Referring to the figures, the tray is in the general form of a circular sheet metal box having intertting top and bottom sections I andV I I. The bottom section II is shown as comprising a circular plate I2 and a marginal upstanding flange I3, which has a groove I4 extending around the upstanding ange I3. A plurality of depressions `I are provided in the vertical walls ofthe cover 'IU in positionscorresponding to the position: ofthe indented 4groove- I,4the groove and the depressions cooperating to hold the bottom section II and the top I0 together. The top I0 is made up of a side wall I6 which is a plain circular band, and an upper surface, generally indicated at I6', the latter of which is annular in form having a central opening I'I for the deposit of ashes and cigarette stubs. 'I'Ihe top or cover plate I6' is coniigured with peaks and valleys I8 and I9 respectively, the latter of which provide temporary seats for a plurality of burning cigarettes. The peaks I8 form windbreaks for burning cigarettes disposed on the temporary seats.

The ash tray in plan view (Fig. 1) is shown as divided into three equal segments about the circumference of the circle. The seats generally indicated at I9 are disposed 120 degrees apart; that is, for example, at positions corresponding to Zero degrees, 120 degrees, and 240 degrees respectively. The peaks I8 are disposed at intermediate positions-that is, for example, at positions corresponding to degrees, 180 degrees, and 300 degrees. Thus, on the diametrically opposite side of the ash tray from each seat I9 is disposed a peak I8. 'Ilie peaks are high enough above the seats I9 to serve eifectively as windbreaks, each peak serving as a windbreak principally for the diametrically opposite seat.

\ Each of these seats I9 comprises a radially disposed trough 20, the bottom of which is apertured at 2I for the escape of cigarette ashes, and is spanned lengthwise by aslightly raised integral bridge 22 longitudinally troughed,` as shown in Fig. 4, to provide a temporary seat for a lighted cigarette.

Each bridge 22 engages a cigarette placed thereon, and when the burning end comes in contact with this bridge, heat is conducted away from the live ash and is diffused throughout the metal portion of the tray. Thus the temperature of the live ash is reduced, and the burning rate of the cigarette is retarded. If the cigarette is allowed to burn continuously while resting on the bridge for a sucient period of time, the bridge is so designed that the burning rate will be retarded to the extent that the cigarette will be extinguished.

As shown, the entire ash tray is made of sheet metal. Obviously, certain plastics and other suitable materials may be used, but the bridge and at least a portion of the material surrounding the bridge should be made of metal so as to insure a sufficient conduction and diffusion Arate of heat away from the cigarette to accomplish the desired result. 't

By providing the aperture 2l on both sides of the bridge 22, it is possible to have just enough metal in the bridge to obtain the desired rate of retardation in the burning rate of the cigarette. Referring to Fig. 3, it is noted that the bridge 22 is raised above the inner portion of the trough 20 so that when a cigarette is resting on the bridge in its normal position with the burning end disposed toward the center of the ash tray the live end ofthe cigarette is kept out, of contact with the trough 2Q, and'it is only when the cigarette has burned to the position corresponding to the inner edge of the raised bridge 22 that the metal is contacted by the hot part of the cigarette. Almost immediately the burning rate of the cigarette is retarded, the underneath portion of the cigarette-that is, that portion engaging the bridge 22-is extinguished soon after the metal is engaged by the burning tobacco. The remainder of the burning end of the cigarette-that portion not directly in contact with the metal bridgeis extinguished shortly thereafter. Because the burning portion of the cigarette is kept out of engagement with the trough 29 and also due to the fact that very promptly after the burningv end engages the bridge 22 that portion in engagement with. the metal is extinguished, there is practically no syrupy residue formed on the trough. Any residue that does form is not allowed to come in contact with the cigarette or with a cigarette subsequently deposited on theseat, because the bridge 22 is elevated above the trough. The bridge is spaced outwardly from the central opening and stops short of the outer margin of the tray so as to provide portions of the trough on both ends of the bridge. Thus neither the burning end nor the opposite end of the cigarette engage any part of the ash tray.

From each margin of each trough 20, the cover plate I6? extends obliquely upwardly until it joins the plate section extending upwardly from the next adjacent cigarette seat, thereby forming a peak I8. Each of the inclined surfaces ofthe cover plate is preferably slightlyconcave. The cover plate I6 throughout, with the exception of the troughsY and bridges, is slightly inclined down? wardly from its outer margin toward the center opening I'I. A cigarette, however it may be po- Sitioned on the top surface of the cover Iii, will have no tendency to fall in any direction except to a seat I9. The trough 20 is so proportioned that a cigarette placed therein automatically seats itself on the bridge 22 out of engagement with all surrounding metal and contacting only. the raised bridge 22.

Referring to Fig. 2, it is to be noted that the peak I8 and large portions of the Ainclined surfaces on each side of the peak rise above the plane of the seat i9 on the diametrically opposite side of the ash tray. This is an important feature of the present ash tray because itis this arrangement that causes the ash tray to be so efficient in gathering up ashes and other particles which may be blown olf of cigarettes which are resting on the ash tray. It often happens that an `ash tray may be situated in a breeze-such, for example, as when it is being employed in a room where an electric fan-is operating. As the cigarette burns while it is resting on the ash tray, ashes, burning pieces of tobacco, and particles of the cigarette often are blown off the ash tray onto a table or the floor. The present ash tray. overcomes this objectionable feature so prevalent in Aconventional ash trays.

Any ashes or particles. blown from.

a burning cigarette which is resting on the bridge 22 are caught underneath the opposite or adjoining peak portion of the cover, and are thereby retained inside the ash tray. Referring to Fig. 2, for instance, a direct breeze blowing toward the seat portion I9 on which a cigarette may be disposed will carry the ashes from that cigarette across the tray and be caught by the opposite peak portion of the cover I0. If a breeze isdirectedat-some other. angle, butyetat such an angle that it strikes the burning part of the cigarette, at least one of the peakportions of the cover I0 is suitably positioned to catch any ashes or other particles detached from the cigarette. The cigarette is extinguished by contact with the bridge` portion 22 before it is allowed to burn a sufficient distance for the burned portion of the cigarette tocome in line of any wind which would direct ashes up the adjacent inclined surface and over the peak I8. A wind striking the ash tray fromv anyv other direction will be blocked; from Contact with theburnine. end-0f the. cigarette: by one or moreA o f the peaksy I8` serving as,vv windbreaks.

Reierring to Fig. 3, the bridge 22 on each end gradually merges into the planeof the trough 2U, so that no sharp corners or edges are present to tear or disfigure theicigarette.

In Fig. 5, a central receptacle 25- is. showninserted in the opening II oftheash tray. In, instances where the ash tray will'` never b e` ernployed in a direct draft, it` may; be desirable to provide this, receptacle for the deposit ofcigarette stubs. This .receptaclel isl cylindrical'in shapeand may extend to the bottom of thev ash tray in the manner shown in Eig. 5. I-f desired; they bottom of the tray may merely be frictionallylv held. by.4

the. cover portion without the necessity of pro; viding theA cooperating groove andr indentation arrangement shownin Fig. 3; All that maybe required is to provide; a reasonablyl tight t between the bottom member I I: andthe covermem` ber I0, as shown in Fig. 5, to create suicient frictionto retainthe ,two memberstogether. To remove the bottom from the, ashtray in any of the forms of the invention shown, a person need merely grasp the sides, ofv the cover of the ash tray and, placing his finger through the central opening II (in the caseof the rst embodiment of theinvention) or through thecentralreceptacle 25 (in the caseof thesecond embodiment of the invention), he can exerta pressure against the bottom suficientto separate the bottom and the cover.

Various changes in details. of constructionmay be made within the` scopeA ofthe-presentinvention.

I claim:

1. An ash trayV comprisinga circular, openable body` including a. cover therefor having. acentral opening, thev cover. includinga plurality of. seg-v mental sections each having downwardly con; verging surfaces, thelower meetingmarginal portions of said surfaces being radiallytrough'dand apertured longitudinally ofthe'. trough, andlthe.-

apertures having. elevated, longitudinal'. bridges, said bridges being. trough'edlengthwise..A

2. An ash tray. comprising. a. circu1ar..ho1`low. body. including. a bottom, and'I a cover-.portionhaving a portion-projecting over and spacedvv above the bottom and provided. with-a central opening, thev said projecting portion including threelequal segmental sectionsV comprising` three peaks and.

three. valleys, and` downwardly converging surfaces extendingifromfthe peaks' Atheilo'wer meeting marginal portions of said converging surfaces being radially troughed, the peaks being equidistant apart and each peak being diametrically opposite one of the troughs, and a seat portion in each trough.

3. An ash tray comprising a circular hollow body including a cover portion having a central opening, the cover including three equal Segmental sections comprising three peaks and three valleys, and downwardly converging surfaces extending from the peaks, the lower meeting marginal portions of said converging surfaces being radially troughed, the peaks being equidistant apart and each peak being diametrically opposite one of the troughs, and a seat portion in each trough elevated above the trough surface.

4. An ash tray comprising a circular hollow body including a cover portion having a central opening, the cover including three equal segmental sections comprising three peaks and three valleys, and downwardly converging surfaces extending from the peaks, the lower meeting marginal portions of said converging surfaces being radially troughed, the peaks being equidistant apart and each peak being diametrically opposite one of the troughs, and a seat portion in each trough elevated above the trough surface and extending longitudinally of thetrough.

5. An ash tray comprising a circular hollow body including a cover portion having a central opening, the cover including three equal segmental sections comprising three peaks and three valleys, and downwardly converging surfaces extending from the peaks, the lower meeting marginal portions of said converging surfaces being radially troughed, the peaks being equidistant apart and each peak being diametrically opposite one of the troughs, a seat portion in each trough elevated above the trough surface and extending longitudinally1 of the trough, and an aperture on each side of the seat portion.

6. An ash tray comprising a bottom member and a cover removably secured to the bottom member, the cover having an annular top surface surrounding a central opening, the top surface comprising three peak portions arranged equidistant around the circumference of the top and downwardly converging surfaces on each side of the peaks, the lower meeting marginal portions of said converging surfaces being radially troughed, the troughs being circumferentially spaced and disposed lower than the peaks, each trough being midway between the adjoining peaks and extending from the said central opening to the outer portion of the ash tray, each trough being apertured radially, and a bridge extending longitudinally in each trough and spanning the aperture, the bridges being elevated above the surfaces of the troughs and being adapted to seat cigarettes.

7. An ash tray comprising a bottom member and a cover removably secured to the bottom member, the cover having an aimular top surface surrounding a central opening, the top surface comprising three peak portions arranged equidistant around the circumference of the top, and downwardly converging surfaces on each side of the peaks, the lower meeting marginal portions of said converging surfaces being radially troughed midway between the peaks, and the top surface throughout exclusive of the trough portion being inclined downwardly from its outer margin to the central opening.

8. lAn ash tray comprising a bottom member and a cover removably secured to the bottom member, the cover having an annular top surface surrounding a central opening, the top surface comprising three peak portions arranged equidistant around the circumference of the top, and downwardly converging surfaces on each side of the peaks, the lower meeting marginal portions of said converging surfaces being radially troughed, the troughs being circumferentially spaced and disposed lower than the peaks, each trough being midway between the adjoining peaks and extending from the said central opening to the outer portion of the ash tray, each trough being apertured radially, and a bridge extending longitudinally in each trough and spanning the aperture, the bridges being elevated above the surfaces of the troughs and being spaced outwardly from the central opening to provide a portion of the trough between the bridge and the central opening.

9. An ash tray comprising a circular chambered openable body including a cover therefor having a central walled opening and comprising a, plurality of segmental sections each having downwardly converging surfaces, the meeting marginal portions of such surfaces being radially troughed and apertured, and the apertures having elevated longitudinal bridges, such bridges being troughed lengthwise.

l0. An ash tray comprising a bottom member and a cover removably secured to the bottom member, the cover having an annular top surface surrounding a central opening, the top surface comprising three peak portions arranged equidistant around the circumference of the top, and downwardly converging surfaces on each side of the peaks, the lower meeting marginal portions of said converging surfaces being radially troughed, the troughs being circumferentially spaced and disposed lower than the peaks, each trough being midway between the adjoining peaks and extending from the said central opening to the outer portion of the ash tray, each trough being apertured radially, and a bridge extending longitudinally in each trough and spanning the aperture, the bridges being elevated above the surfaces of the troughs and being spaced outwardly from the central opening to provide a portion of the trough between .the bridge and the central opening and stopping short of the outer margin of the ash tray to provide a portion of the trough between the bridge and the outer tray margin, and the bridge at both ends converging into the surface of the bottom of the trough.

11. An ash tray comprising a circular openable body including a cover therefor having a central opening and comprising a plurality of segmental sections, each having downwardly converging surfaces, the meeting marginal portions of said surfaces being radially troughed and apertured, and the apertures having longitudinal bridges raised above the bottom surfaces of the troughs.

l2. An ash tray comprising a circular openable body including a cover therefor having a central opening and comprising a plurality of segmental sections, each having downwardly converging surfaces, the meeting marginal portions of said surfaces being radially troughed and apertured, and the apertures having longitudinal bridges, said bridges being raised above the troughs.

JOHN G. LAWRENCE. 

